Minister: Energy savings 'will come from efficiency'

The government says its energy policies will eventually cushion consumers from price rises, but only once they have contributed to a big increase in average household bills.

The claim is the result of research by the department for energy and climate change, which has analysed the effect of coalition policies such as investment in renewables, as well as the promotion of measures like the introduction of smart-meters.

Energy Minister Greg Barker told the Today programme's Sarah Montague that "if gas prices go even higher, bills will go up but so will the savings that come from being energy efficient".

The BBC's industry correspondent, John Moylan, explained the policies.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Wednesday 27 March 2013.